Seven airports in Gujarat, including three in the border district of Kutch, have reopened for civilian flights starting Monday morning after being closed for nearly five days due to the military conflict between India and Pakistan. The affected airports, which were shut down on May 9, included the international airport in Rajkot and smaller regional airports in Porbandar, Jamnagar, Keshod (in Junagadh district), Bhuj, Mundra, and Kandla (in Kutch district).

The decision to reopen these airports follows the announcement made by the Airport Authority of India (AAI) after a ceasefire agreement between India and Pakistan on Saturday, which marked the end of military hostilities. According to a senior official at the Rajkot airport, civilian flights resumed operations at 10:20 am, signaling a return to normalcy for the aviation sector in the region.

Director Navneet Kumar Gupta from the Bhuj airport confirmed the resumption of services, noting that Bhuj, Mundra, and Kandla airports in the Kutch region had now been reopened for civilian aircraft. Similarly, Jamnagar airport director D.K. Singh also confirmed the reopening of the airport, allowing commercial flight operations to restart.

The closure of 32 airports, particularly in northern and western India, had significantly impacted the aviation industry, affecting both passenger travel and cargo services. The decision to close these airports was initially taken to ensure safety amid heightened military tensions following the conflict with Pakistan.

The reopening of these seven airports is a positive development for the region, as it restores access to critical air connectivity, especially in Gujarat, which is an important economic hub for India. The resumed operations also suggest a sense of stability and normalcy as the military situation between India and Pakistan stabilizes following the ceasefire agreement.

This reopening comes as part of broader efforts to restore regularity to the country’s air travel services, which were temporarily disrupted due to security concerns. As the ceasefire between the two nations takes hold, officials are optimistic that the situation will continue to improve, enabling the resumption of regular commercial flight schedules across the affected airports.

The reopening of these airports is seen as a crucial step in returning to business as usual, while also ensuring the safety and security of both passengers and aviation personnel.

PTI.